1963 Pontiac

B

Bruce Oliphant

This is day 1. We brought my 1963 Pontiac home in the rain today. It fits in the garage so the car cover is not much of an issue yet, (thanks for all the info on that though). I drove the car onto and off of the trailer and even went for a spin around the block. The interior is in really good shape and the motor needs a tune up.

Where do I start with the rust on the quarter panels and frame though....no really, where do I start? I think I need a mentor now. Any takers?
 
I would start by getting a can of engine flush from the local auto parts store, and putting it into the engine, and running it for at least 30 minutes. Then drain the oil while it is hot, and allow the engine to cool. When the engine has cooled enough to get the oil filter off without burning yourself, remove and replace the oil filter. Refill the engine with 10w-30 engine oil that is designed for a diesel engine. The reason for using diesel engine oil, is it has a better additive package for older cars than the present day engine oil that is designed for the tighter clearances of modern engines. While you are under the hood, check the air filter and replace if necessary, or go all out and start with a fresh one. Also take note of the engine belts and hoses. If they are bad, then buy new ones, but don't put them on until you are ready to start driving the car on a regular basis. If you have them in the car, the old ones will not fail while test driving. If you don't have them, then the engine will know this, and will break a belt or break a hose when you are at the most distance away from home. Believe me when I say that engines know these things. I don't know how, but they do. :D
Also remove the radiator car while the engine is cold, and check the coolant. If it is rusty red, don't go any further, because you are going to need to clean the engine block internally. Jeremy Ledford will give you detailed instructions on how to do this. I'm tired of explaining it, so I will pass this obligation onto him. He is a quick learner, and his engine is cleaner than Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard. :thumbsup:
More suggestions to follow............ I don't want to overwhelm you all at once.
P.S. Buy only a Pontiac Factory Service Manual ASAP...
 
then when you get the mechanical done you can start on the body. by the time your done you'll have figured out just how bad it is. then it's one panel at a time till you get it all in primer. doesn't make any difference were you start just start and finish each panel as a separate project. then when you get around to were you started, start phase two. were you get in trouble is jumping from one to another. that will get you lost and burned out fast
 
Also, when removing things like trim, and other items, unless you have a good memory, lable each piece, and put things like bolts and screws in a zip lock bag and lable them also. And, if you don't have alot of pationts already, get some. Restoring a Professional Car can be a long and frustrating task, but well worth it in the end. Good luck, and keep us updated.

Josh
 
Josh Gentry said:
Also, when removing things like trim, and other items, unless you have a good memory, lable each piece, and put things like bolts and screws in a zip lock bag and lable them also. And, if you don't have alot of pationts already, get some. Restoring a Professional Car can be a long and frustrating task, but well worth it in the end. Good luck, and keep us updated.

Josh
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Also take lots of pictures, it will help you remember how the parts were removed.
 
more Pontiac what

What series Pontiac did the coach builder use? Bonneville, Catalina, or ? Who was the coach builder? Glad you got it home safe and sound. Good luck with the needed fixes and attention it needs.
Mike
61 M M
 
Bruce: First congrat's on your Baby...I've been an oddball all my life so that would've been right up my alley. :p

Speaking as a former Bodyman from that era: Gm's always have a problem with lower fender rust of that era... Your fender and door mouldings are very unique...not easily found...If it were I remove the inner door panels with a GM Clip rmoval tool to gain access to the door mouldings.

The Fenders? I'm guessing the easiest way will be to remove the whole fender to gain acess to those moulding bolts. You'll find 1 bolt up by the door post when open, a bottom one then the Radiator Header panel will have a few. It MAY be easier...with the help of a "friend" to just be as easy to remove the whole front clip...aka both the fenders and core support as a unit. The core support will be secured with two bolts 1 on each side on top of the frame rails.

The key as a newby is patience. Have Fun
 
I forgot to add: Don't attempt to remove the Hood without a couple helpers..guaranteed windshield killer. :D Make note of the bolt marks on the hood as you remove...that'll be your marks on installation.
 
Steve Loftin said:
1963 Pontiac what...hearse? combination? ambulance? Have photos been posted in another thread?
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From the pictures in Bruce's album, it looks like he has a Superior Consort (short wheelbase) ambulance.

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Mike Stevens said:
What series Pontiac did the coach builder use? Bonneville, Catalina, or ? Who was the coach builder? ...
Click to expand...
Superior always used Bonnevilles in the '60's. Other builders, like National or CB, could have used different lines.
 
There is something kind of odd about this car that Paul and I were talking about the other night. The siren is under the hood (possible clue), there is a hole in the roof for the red light and the headliner has the "V" zippers to gain access to the mounts for the light. It has a standard cot lock in the patient compartment. The rear flooring is original to the car and there are no rollers or other casket securing type devices. I can't decide if this was built as a straight ambulance or a combination but to me it seems as though it was never used as a hearse. Thoughts anyone?

By the way, good news (for me); I have repossessed a restored 1984 Chevy pickup truck that I sold earlier this year. The slug never paid for it. As soon as the title work is done I'll resale the truck and put all of that money into this car. Man that took the pressure off.:)
 
Bruce, it may well have been a straight ambulance. It's tough to say, as there were quite a few options that were, or were not, added to a particular car based on the customer's order. Some cars were built as combinations but never used as one or the other.

It could have been used as a combination with a roller-rack placed on the floor. This is a metal frame with the rollers attached to it. So without built-in rollers, if this was used as a combo, that's how it was done.

Any ambulance or combination with a beacon had the zipper in the headliner. Many ambulances had only the single beacon and an underhood siren. Particularly if a customer was buying a Consort (short-wheelbase Pontiac), they were probably looking to save money - as opposed to the cost of a hightop Superior Cadillac. So it's likely that it was ordered that way, and that's it. There were options that could be added to a Consort ambulance - bullet lights, window decals, etc. but those added to the price, obviously.

A quick check of the model number on the Superior body ID# plate can confirm what it was originally built as. Can you check that? Model #305 is a Consort Combination, Model #306 is a Consort Ambulance.
 
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